Understanding How Digital Career Assessment Tools Influence Career Decision-Making: A Focus Group Study of RIASEC and the Career & Skills Passport

This study examines how users experience and perceive two digital career development tools offered on the MySkillsFuture portal: the RIASEC career assessment tool and the Career & Skills Passport (CSP). The study aims to understand how these tools influence individuals’ career thinking, decision-making, and related actions across different career stages and contexts. Using a qualitative research design, the study employs focus group discussions with adult users who have previously used the RIASEC tool, with some participants also having experience with CSP. The discussions explore participants’ career contexts prior to tool use, expectations and motivations for engaging with the tools, and their first-hand experiences during use. Particular attention is given to participants’ perceptions of the tools’ usability, clarity, trustworthiness, and perceived accuracy of results. The study further investigates the short-term and longer-term impacts of tool use, including how participants interpret assessment results, explore career options, identify skills gaps, and make training or career-related decisions. Participants are also asked to reflect on whether and how the tools have influenced their confidence, adaptability, and approach to career transitions over time. Comparisons with other career profiling tools and career support approaches are explored to contextualize participants’ evaluations. Finally, the study seeks user-generated recommendations for improving the RIASEC tool and CSP, as well as insights into unmet needs in career decision support. Findings are intended to inform the refinement of digital career guidance tools and contribute to understanding how such tools support career development and adaptability.